Unofficial Networks Ranks the Top Ten Lifts in the World; Your East Top 10?

[thetrailboss]

An interesting read from the Unofficial Networks.

http://unofficialnetworks.com/whos-ski-lift-world-41734/

The Jackson Hole Tram and KT-22 are no surprise. Good lifts. Glad to see that MRG's Single and the Snowbird Tram made the list. Some interesting European lifts, like this crazy one:

:blink: Yes, that is real.

#1 AIGUILLE DU MIDI – Chamonix, France

- Built in 1955, held title as highest cable car on Earth for 20 years
- Carries 65 passengers
- Highest vertical ascent cable car in the world traveling from 1,035 m to 3,842 m (3,396 ft to 12,605 ft)
- Altitude gain of over 2,800 meters (9,186 ft) in 20 minutes
- Top of tram has a panoramic viewing platform, a cafe, and a gift shop
- Arguably, the gnarliest lift accessed skiing on Earth

 

[thetrailboss]

So any thoughts as to the East's top 10 lifts? Here are some nominations from me:

-Jay Peak Tram (when it runs)
-Cannon Tram
-Fourrunner at Stowe
-North Ridge Express at Sugarbush
-Sugarloaf's SuperQuad
-Castlerock Double at Sugarbush
-Madonna Double at Smuggs

Other nominations?

 

[skiersleft]

So any thoughts as to the East's top 10 lifts? Here are some nominations from me:

-Jay Peak Tram (when it runs)
-Cannon Tram
-Fourrunner at Stowe
-North Ridge Express at Sugarbush
-Sugarloaf's SuperQuad
-Castlerock Double at Sugarbush
-Madonna Double at Smuggs

Other nominations?

Skyeship Gondola at Killington definitely has to make the East top 10. It's the the longest continuous gondola in the East.

 

[St. Bear]

Wildcat's Quad. Love that thing.

 

[Nick]

Chamonix is pretty nuts. I think they do a lot of paragliding / hang gliding there in the summer.

 

[skiersleft]

So any thoughts as to the East's top 10 lifts? Here are some nominations from me:

-Jay Peak Tram (when it runs)
-Cannon Tram
-Fourrunner at Stowe
-North Ridge Express at Sugarbush
-Sugarloaf's SuperQuad
-Castlerock Double at Sugarbush
-Madonna Double at Smuggs

Other nominations?

Also from Killington, the now defunct South Ridge Triple, if only for its giggle inducing sharp left turn.

 

[thetrailboss]

Skyeship Gondola at Killington definitely has to make the East top 10. It's the the longest continuous gondola in the East.

I would have put that, but the terrain underneath it is not really anything too special. Granted Stage II is decent, but Stage I for most folks is a throwaway. Any thoughts about K-1?

 

[bvibert]

What constitutes the best? Terrain serviced, speed, length, or just opinion?

My list would include:
-MRG Single
-Magic Red Chair
-Castlerock Double

 

[thetrailboss]

What constitutes the best? Terrain serviced, speed, length, or just opinion?

My list would include:
-MRG Single
-Magic Red Chair
-Castlerock Double

I'm going to use the criteria that they seem to use in this article:

* Vertical

* Acreage served

*Capacity

*Coolness factor as well

Good call on the Magic Red Chair.

 

[thetrailboss]

And good call on Wildcat's quad.

 

[Glenn]

That's nuts. Imagine building that?

 

[Puck it]

That's nuts. Imagine building that?

It is the access point for the Valle Blanche.

 

[skiersleft]

I'm going to use the criteria that they seem to use in this article:

* Vertical

* Acreage served

*Capacity

*Coolness factor as well

Good call on the Magic Red Chair.

First three factors satisfied by Skyeship Gondola. Coolness factor is not, but if each factor is worth the same, Skyeship Gondola should be included anyway.

 

[mondeo]

I would have put that, but the terrain underneath it is not really anything too special. Granted Stage II is decent, but Stage I for most folks is a throwaway. Any thoughts about K-1?

I'd go with Bear or the Canyon quad before K-1. K-1's pretty much runout compared to what you can get to from the Canyon quad. Probably 80% of my skiing when either of those two are open are on those lifts.

 

[deadheadskier]

Bear Mountain Quad, Killington
Bateau T-Bar at Sugarloaf (it's importance can't be overstated)
Stowe Gondola - access to the best slack country in the East.

 

[thetrailboss]

I should add the terrain type that the lift serves.

And speaking about Aiguille Du Midi, read this trip report.

 

[mondeo]

First three factors satisfied by Skyeship Gondola. Coolness factor is not, but if each factor is worth the same, Skyeship Gondola should be included anyway.

Looking at that list, terrain is the #1 feature. If you know those lifts, you know them because of the terrain. KT-22, Jackson Tram, Whistler, La Grave, Las Lenas, Cham, etc. all have killer terrain. The Single was a nod to the East Coast, I'm pretty sure if they didn't feel like they had to have an Eastern lift on there it wouldn't have made it.

 

[hammer]

Wildcat's Quad. Love that thing.

Can't speak for most but I do like this lift...

 

[SkiDork]

whats the criteria for "best" ?

 

[thetrailboss]

First three factors satisfied by Skyeship Gondola. Coolness factor is not, but if each factor is worth the same, Skyeship Gondola should be included anyway.

I think it is an interesting question. I would not include it in my list because few folks ride the entire lift and again because the terrain on Stage I just plain sucks for the most part. Back in the day, absolutely. It was the longest gondola of its type, had three stages, and folks could ski the entire 3,000+ vert from it. Not the best skiing, but still big skiing. However, it has been altered such that it is a only a commuter lift moving folks from Route 4 to Skye Peak and nothing really more.